Outdoor entertaining and living are essential to life; most people love spending time outdoors, surrounded by wildlife, sounds, the fresh air and smells of their environment. This means you will need to provide your guests with an outdoor area where they will feel comfortable. That requires you to begin designing that space before the hot weather arrives so can you enjoy it all summer.

If you have not given your outdoor spaces a second thought since autumn, you may need advice about the latest trends. Here are some design tips to jumpstart your creativity and to get your areas prepared for sunny skies.